Practical uses of halophytic plants as sources of food and fodder.

Abstract

Halophytes are plants that are adapted to saline soils in their natural habitats because they are salt tolerant. They are found in a range of environments with varied salinity and climatic conditions. These plant species can be irrigated with saline water and cultivated on saline soils that are unsuitable for commercial crops. Halophytes are rich in nutrients, such as antioxidants, fatty acids and amino acids, and many species have been used traditionally as herbs and vegetables, feed and fodder. Therefore, halophytes are considered one of the alternative solutions to problems related to food security, fresh water scarcity, salinization and diversification of diets for healthier nutrition. However, despite the promising future for multiple uses of halophytes, many problems related to halophyte cultivation for human and animal consumption and their commercialization have still not been tackled. This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the development of halophytes as vegetable, feed and fodder, and to highlight the importance of creating a demand in the marketplace for halophyte consumption.

Halophyte based Mediterranean agriculture in the contexts of food insecurity and global climate change

“…From all the above referred it is easy to deduce that halophyte plants may find niches in the demanding market for novelties, as for example as herbs, vegetables, fresh gourmet products, and animal feed. One challenge that limits halophyte cultivation is the lack of knowledge about consumers' acceptance of halophyte products, which are fundamental to the commercialization of halophytes because farmers will start investing in the crop only if there is marketing potential (Centofanti and Banuelos, 2019). Halophytes are non-conventional crops and it would take a little to make people believe that they are good food for them, although some are used by certain communities for this purpose (Menzel and Leith, 1999).…”

Interactive Temperature and CO2 Rise, Salinity, Drought, and Bacterial Inoculation Alter the Content of Fatty Acids, Total Phenols, and Oxalates in the Edible Halophyte Salicornia ramosissima

“…Among other properties, it has been found that Salicornia members have a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and polyphenols, which are beneficial for human consumption because of their antioxidant properties [ 7 , 9 ]. In halophytes, it is known that these molecules are accumulated to higher concentrations in unstressed conditions, as compared to glycophytes, to cope with salinity-induced oxidative stress [ 11 ]. In S. ramosissima , the most abundant PUFAs are linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6), which are essential FAs for humans because the human body is not able to synthesize them [ 12 ].…”

Biological and Agronomic Traits of the Main Halophytes Widespread in the Mediterranean Region as Potential New Vegetable Crops

“…The cultivation of halophytes under greenhouse conditions-either in soil or in a soil-less system-or in an open field, to produce raw or minimally processed vegetables Horticulturae 2022, 8, 195 2 of 32 (i.e., ready-to-eat or fresh-cut products), in particular for gourmet cuisine, is of growing interest [7][8][9]. The edible parts of these species are appreciated due to their salty taste and high content in antioxidant compounds and essential nutrients (minerals, vitamins amino acids and/or fatty acids) [10,11]. Halophytes also contain ingredients of functional foods and active principles for medicinal supplements [12][13][14][15].…”